Downloaded from https://www.everyspec.com (2) Unmanned aircraft systems . (a) One member will be an Army aviator. (b) One member will be a UAS, MOS-qualified operator in the grade of E–5 or higher. (3) For watercraft accidents, at least one board member will be an Army Marine warrant officer or a Army civilian familiar with boat operations, navigation, and boating safety. f. In the case of Class C aircraft accidents, when more than one individual is on the board, the president will be an Army officer, senior warrant officers (CW3 and above), a Army civilian in the grade of GS–11 or higher that directly manages an aviation safety program, or a full-time ARNG or USAR technician.
In addition, a flight surgeon (if not available, an Army medical officer may be appointed) is required to be a board member when an accident involves— (1) Personnel injuries. (2) Issues (including injuries) associated with PPE, aircraft egress, medical evacuation, rescue, or survival. Note. For one-member Class C boards, the board president must be senior in grade to the aircraft crewmembers. Also, Class C UAS accidents do not require a rated Army aviator board member. g. Specific duties and responsibilities of board members are outlined in DA Pam 385–40. 3–16. Support of Army safety accident investigations a.
Army medical treatment facility (MTF) commanders will support accident investigations as required by accident investigation board presidents or unit investigators. This will include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Evaluating human and environmental factors that contributed to the accident. (2) Providing medical, dental, and medical service corps personnel such as flight surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, dentists, industrial hygienists, and psychiatrist to serve as members or advisors to accident investigation boards.
(3) Performing biochemical testing of personnel involved in or contributing to all Class A, Class B, or Class C aviation accidents, or when deemed appropriate by the commander or physician (consult with the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), commercial (301) 319–0000, DSN 285–0000). Biochemical testing is required for all crewmembers and any other personnel who may have contributed to a Class A, B, or C aviation or on-duty ground Class A or Class B accidents. (4) Performing physical examinations of surviving accident victims (per AR 40–501). (5) Performing autopsies on the remains of aircrew members are mandatory (per AR 40–21).
In other cases, the Armed Forces medical examiner may authorize an autopsy in accordance with AR 40–57. This may be done where the Federal Government has exclusive jurisdictional authority and where the circumstances surrounding the death are suspicious, unexpected, or unexplained. This includes unnatural or violent deaths resulting from a known or suspected accident; that is, deaths specifically resulting from vehicular, aircraft, vessel, or other aviation/ground accidents.
Additionally, pursuant to AR 40–400, the Army MTF commander may direct an autopsy when it is considered necessary for protecting the welfare of the military community to determine the true cause of death or to secure information for completing military records. In cases where the accident investigation board concludes that an autopsy is necessary, consistent with the above guidelines, the commander, USACR/SC, will consult with the MTF commander nearest to the scene of the accident or where the body is located. In other cases, consent of the next of kin is required in accordance with AR 40–400. (a) When possible, autopsies should be performed by AFIP.
(b) If AFIP personnel cannot perform an autopsy, it will be performed by personnel in the following order of precedence: 1. Military forensic pathologist. 2. Army pathologist or civilian forensic pathologist. (c) The individual conducting the autopsy will consult with the Armed Forces medical examiner, AFIP, by calling commercial (301) 319–0000, DSN 285–0000. (6) Assisting in obtaining results of autopsies conducted by civilian authorities. (7) Conducting detailed external examinations (to include photographs) and full body X-ray examinations.
Samples of blood, urine, and other body fluids of deceased accident victims will be obtained for laboratory testing when permission for an autopsy is refused. (8) Providing admittance and disposition sheets to local safety offices. b. The Army Provost Marshal Office will support investigations, to include liaison with local law enforcement as required. This support will include providing accident information from DA Form 3946 (Military Police Traffic Accident Report) and daily blotters. c. All installation organizations (for example, the Director of Industrial Operations and the Director of Engineering and Housing) will support accident investigations as required. 3–17.
Review of accident investigation reports All accident investigation reports will be processed by each reviewing agency. a. Initial review. The initial reviewing official will normally be the commander of the unit involved or the 31 AR 385–10 • 23 August 2007/RAR 8 September 2009